Are you there, God? It’s me, wondering when I'll get my period.

Ladies, we've all been there. Caught unaware, usually away from home, those telltale cramps hit, and BOOM — you have your period. You scramble to find a good Samaritan to lend you some products and spend the rest of the day cursing the universe. For those of us who aren't regular each month, there are actually many ways to predict the arrival of your period. Take this quiz, and see how many you know.

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is also known as:

DSM

PMT

PMS is also called premenstrual tension (PMT). It's the physical or emotional stress that occurs in the days before a woman's period. Not every woman experiences PMS/PMT, but if you have, you know it.

MNP

Question 2 of 20

One of the best ways to predict when your period will arrive is to track your:

fluid retention

PMS

ovulation

Tracking your ovulation is a handy way to predict the arrival of your period. Ovulation typically occurs 14 days before menstruation. You can download many apps to your smartphone to track your ovulation and menstrual cycle.

Question 3 of 20

PMS occurs more in women with a history of:

weight fluctuations

depression

Premenstrual syndrome, a harbinger of menstruation, tends to occur more frequently in women with a family history of depression.

endometriosis

Question 4 of 20

In the days before your period arrives, you may notice this symptom:

Your breasts get bigger.

Due to changing hormone levels before your period arrives, you may notice your breasts get a little bigger. Some might think this is a good thing, but it also comes hand-in-hand with breast tenderness and pain.

Your teeth ache.

Your ears ring.

Question 5 of 20

A woman's typical menstrual cycle is:

25 days

30 days

28 days

An average menstrual cycle is 28 days, although it can range from 21 to 35. By tracking your cycle on a calendar, you can better predict when your period will arrive and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Question 6 of 20

Speaking of when you'll get your period, which famous YA author wrote the book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."

Beverly Cleary

Judy Blume

The book "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." by Judy Blume is a rite of passage for nearly every young girl. With its frank talk about periods and other tween/teen subjects, the book demystifies many issues and questions for every girl going through physical and emotional changes as she grows up.

S.E. Hinton

Question 7 of 20

Another good way to keep track of milestones in your menstrual cycle is measuring your:

mood swings

weight gain

basal body temperature

Recording changes in your basal body temperature (BBT) lets you know when you are about to ovulate. Your BBT raises up to one degree right before ovulation. Knowing when you ovulate helps you predict when your period will arrive (about 14 days later).

Question 8 of 20

In the days before your period, you can gain up to this amount of weight:

1 kg

If you feel bloated or notice a weight gain, your period is probably on the way. You may have a temporary weight gain of up to 1 kg, which is typically from fluid retention and will go away once you start your period. Try to avoid salty foods, and eat a balanced diet.

.5 kg

2 kg

Question 9 of 20

An unpleasant sign of an arriving period is this skin condition:

overly dry skin

oily skin

acne

As some women have learned the hard way, breakouts don't end in your teens. Each month may bring a new breakout, right before your period arrives. You can almost set your clock by it. Pay attention to changes in your skin, and you might get a better idea about when your period is on its way.

Question 10 of 20

Symptoms of PMS improve:

during your period

when your period ends

when your period starts

The physical and emotional symptoms of PMS typically improve once your period begins. They should disappear completely once your period has ended.

Question 11 of 20

If your periods are irregular, your doctor may recommend this solution:

birth control pills

Sometimes irregular periods can be treated (if necessary) with birth control pills to regulate your hormone levels. If you are already on birth control, you may simply need to change the prescription. It's always important to speak to your doctor about irregular periods, however, to rule out any underlying health issues first.

hormone injections

antidepressants

Question 12 of 20

Myth or fact: PMS makes you crave sugar.

myth

fact

Although many women get all sorts of food cravings while they experience PMS, the one about sugar is actually a fact. Scientists believe that low progesterone and high estrogen levels during the time before your period arrives causes a drop in blood sugar. Your body responds to this by craving sugar. Unfortunately, this causes a vicious circle of blood sugar rising and dropping, which causes irritability and anxiety.

Question 13 of 20

When keeping track of your cycle, which day is Day One?

the first day of ovulation

the first day of the month

the first day of your period

Keeping track of your cycle is easy. The first day of your period is Day One. Remember to mark when your period ends, as well as when you experience PMS-like symptoms. After a while, you will notice a pattern and be better able to predict when your period is coming.

Question 14 of 20

Another good reason to know when your period is coming is:

to avoid scheduling any gynecological appointments

Knowing when your period is coming helps you avoid scheduling gynecological appointments that can't be performed while you are menstruating, such as pap smears. It is true that some women also track their cycles to use the rhythm method, but this method isn't 100 percent effective and doesn't protect against STDs.

to avoid leaving the house for five days

to know when to stop using birth control

Question 15 of 20

The more severe form of PMS is called:

dysmenorrhea

PMDD

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is an extreme version of PMS. Women suffering from PMDD suffer from feelings of despair, panic attacks, mood swings, feeling out of control and other heightened symptoms of PMS. These feelings dissipate after their period starts. Some women may be prescribed antidepressants to help live with PMDD.

PMT

Question 16 of 20

This mechanism in your body rises during the week before menstruation.

metabolism

During the week before menstruation, a woman's metabolism actually increases. So if you do give in to those sweet sugar cravings, don't beat yourself up. Your body burns around 100 extra calories per day.

heart rate

blood pressure

Question 17 of 20

Many women know their period is on its way due to uncomfortable cramps. Cramps occur because of:

progesterone

estrogen

prostaglandins

When you get your period, your uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Prostaglandins are substances involved in pain and inflammation, which trigger these contractions. Most women can treat cramps with OTC pain relievers or a heating pad on the abdomen. More severe cramps that interfere with daily activities may need medical attention.

Question 18 of 20

Acne flare-ups are another sign your period is just around the corner. What percentage of acne-prone women experience breakouts before their periods?

42 percent

63 percent

About 63 percent of acne-prone women experience premenstrual acne flare-ups. Before your period starts, the level of testosterone in your body is at its highest all month. This stimulates the sebaceous glands in your skin to produce more sebum, which helps bacteria grow on the skin — leading to increased breakouts.

78 percent

Question 19 of 20

PMS occurs most often in women aged:

late 20s to early 40s

Women in their late 20s to early 40s typically suffer from PMS the most. For the majority of women, PMS is fairly mild and doesn't require medical intervention. Most bothersome symptoms can be lessened with simple lifestyle changes such as exercise, improved diet, regular sleep habits and stress relief.

teens to late 30s

early 20s to early 50s

Question 20 of 20

This disease shares many symptoms with PMS.

lupus

chronic fatigue syndrome

The symptoms of PMS often mimic the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, and the two are sometimes mistaken for each other. This is another excellent reason to track your periods, and see if there are patterns to your symptoms.